Newcastle United returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a convincing win against Birmingham City.

The performance helped erase memories of the recent three-game mini slump and sets United up for the hectic month of December.

Here we witnessed what Newcastle can do when they are fully focused as they dominated from start to finish and refused to let the Blues get into the game.

Goals

1-0 (Gayle 18) - Anita rolled the ball to Diame who turned his man and crossed perfectly for Gayle to head home.

2-0 (Gayle 24) - Hayden’s deflected cross fell for Gayle who took a touch before stabbing home his second.

3-0 (Gouffran 47) - Newcastle sealed the win just two minutes into the second half when Ritchie and Shelvey worked a free-kick into the path of Gayle who assisted Gouffran to swing home the third goal of the day.

4-0 (Gayle 77) - Ritchie played a one-two with Shelvey before a low cross into the box was flicked home by Gayle for his hat-trick.